Weaning

Weaning our baby calves off their mamas has been and continues to be an adventure.  The babies get fed "creep" twice a day.  They all have clocks it seems and show up for meals on time.  After their meal, they are hand fed "cubes" which are like giant rabbit pellets.  They love them! 

The mamas are within sight view with a fence between them and the babies.  We survived the crying from both sides at separation. 

The babies had no trees/shade on their side of the fence so we bought a "Weaning Tent."  The first big winds we had, blew it down.

The repairs have been made and planning is in the works for something more substantial for the future.
We are three weeks out from the separation and the babies are doing well.  They have daily routines and say "Hi" to their mamas but are independent now from them.

The mamas are getting to "know" Ferdinand better.  We are hopeful he will be the "baby daddy" for next springs crop of babies.

We've Got Hay

In a partnership with locals, we've harvested our first hay crop.  It's not enough to sustain us (the girls) through the lean winter months, but it's a start.  With a little rain and some luck, we're hoping for another cutting before winter.

Slum Property

Three years ago I received a Purple Martin apartment complex for Christmas.  It took months to construct and get it installed.  Great care was given to height requirements, etc.  We had lots of lookers and fly overs, but no tenants.  This spring we had some major winds and the complex slipped down its pole to its current height of five feet.  What happened?  We had a couple of Martin couples move in!  All of the apartments must have been filled at the Martin Sun City.  Just goes to show they aren't as particular as we think.

Ranchers?

Ranchers?  I hardly think so.  We been trying to work our little herd through the pens for a fly treatment.  No luck!  They jump over the barriers and run through so fast, they are mere brown blurs.
This weekend we are suppose to separate the babies from the mamas.  It'll be a miracle if it happens.
Some of the "players."

 Ferdinand

 Vivian

 Sweetie

 Big Red

 Brownie

 Belle

 Calfie

Allie

Like all the Mapes and their pets, food is a lure that works.  Why do you think we have Thanksgiving at our house every year?   Fifty pounds of range cubes for our herd nets the same results--100% attendance!

Ferdinand

Out checking on "the herd" this evening...  Yes there is a white face in the group.  His name is Ferdinand.  He's from a "Rent-A-Bull" place.  We're hoping he will be the baby daddy for the next batch of babies.  The internet is moving incredibly slow this evening so I'll give another update later.

Weird Clouds

Not sure what was going on with these clouds.  They formed at ground level then became airborne. 

Was the air cooler above or was it cooler below?  There was no wind so the clouds stayed in place for at least an hour.  The sky above was blue.

Rooster

I lost my "black lab puppy" today.  He has been my faithful and loyal companion for eleven years.  I'll never forget the first time I saw Rooster: there he was this little black furry bundle with a bright pink bubble gum colored tongue.  His eyes sparkled with friendliness and he could hardly wait to meet me.  Rooster was a people person.  He never met a stranger and his mission in life was to make as many people as possible as happy as he was.  His enthusiasm and exuberance for life were contagious!

His passing leaves those who loved him grieving.  Yet when we remember him, we can smile because of the joy he brought into our lives.

RIP my sweet boy; I love you!